The Life of Muhammad and the Early Caliphates
Muhammad At the age of 40 (around 610CE) he had a revelation from God (Angel Gabriel) - he had a habit of praying in a local cave In 622CE he and his early followers fled from Mecca to Medina United the tribes of Medina Around 630CE he conquered Mecca - cleared religious idols from the Kaba Died in 632CE
Succession Debate between Abu Bakr and Ali ibn Abu Talib - Abu Bakr: his greatest general - Ali: his cousin and son-in-law Abu Bakr gains popular support - Ali still has followers because he was a blood relative of Muhammad Shia: Believe Ali was the rightful heir and do not accept Caliphs or Imams unrelated to Muhammad Sunni: Believe Muhammad did not name a successor and accept most Caliphs
Rashidun Caliphate (632–661)
Umayyad Caliphate (661–750)
Abbasid Caliphate (750-1258)
Fatimid Caliphate (909–1171)